Veterans Fellowship

The inaugural Veterans Fellowship cohort gathers in the Shavelson-Webb Library. From left to right: Kadyn Michaels, Eli Edelson (instructor), Nicole Schwegman, Tracy Thompson, Brian McDevitt Jr., Cathy Torres, and Rylan Tuohy.

Since 2010, the Writers Guild Foundation has supported emerging writers from military backgrounds through the Veterans Writing Project. Today, the program is one of the strongest of its kind.

However, drastic changes in the industry over the last decade have made breaking in as a professional screenwriter more challenging than ever. To better serve our growing pool of talented alumni working to break into the industry, WGF has launched the Veterans Fellowship.

The fellowship’s mission is to provide educational resources, professional guidance, and career-building opportunities for Veterans Writing Project alumni who are on the threshold of breaking into the industry.

Fellows will participate in an 8-week course and work one-on-one with showrunner-mentors.

By the end of the course, alumni will:

  • Have multiple polished samples that are ready to pitch along with a refined self-pitch

  • Gain hands-on experience in simulated writers’ rooms and a nuanced understanding of support roles and writers’ room etiquette

  • Participate in several meaningful networking opportunities with industry professionals who have the potential to hire

MEET THE FELLOWS

Six talented fellows were selected for the 2024 cohort: Brian McDevitt, Jr., Cathy Torres, Kadyn Michaels, Nicole Schwegman, Rylan Tuohy, and Tracy Thompson. Click through the pictures above to learn more!

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The 8-week Veterans Fellowship centers around professional development and curated mentorship, featuring a variety of guest speakers from every corner of the industry. Each fellow is paired with a showrunner who shares their format and genre interests. Mentors provide their mentees with valuable feedback on their scripts and unique insight into the business of writing for the screen.  

By the end of the course, alumni will have multiple polished samples, a refined self-pitch, hands-on experience in simulated writers’ rooms, a nuanced understanding of support roles and writers’ room etiquette, and more. Most importantly, they will have the opportunity to participate in several meaningful networking opportunities with industry professionals who have the potential to hire them.

  • Meetings are hosted in-person at WGAW HQ in Los Angeles.

  • The 2024 Fellowship began in late February. In-person workshops take place once per week every Monday evening.

  • A maximum of 5-6 mentees will be selected for each cohort. Each mentee will be assigned a mentor who shares their format and genre preferences. Mentors and mentees will meet each week on a mutually determined schedule.

  • Workshops are led by the core instructor, Eli Edelson. Mentors and guest speakers will also contribute to each discussion.

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR

Eli Edelson is a writer and producer who recently wrapped work on three seasons of the Freeform drama Motherland: Fort Salem. He has worked as a writers' assistant for drama shows on FOX (Bones), Netflix (Unbelievable), and HBO Max (Raised by Wolves) before being promoted to writer. Eli is a longtime mentor with the Veterans Writing Project as well as the Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program. He is represented by All Trades Content, A3, and FKKS.

Eli Edelson, Core Instructor

eligibility

WGF’s Veterans Fellowship is reserved exclusively for graduates of The Veterans Writing Project.

Please note, Veterans Writing Project alumni must have previously completed both the yearlong program AND the kickoff retreat weekend. Applicants who have NOT previously participated in The Veterans Writing Project will be disqualified.

In addition to providing proof of past participation, applicants must:

  • Exhibit meaningful past and ongoing efforts to break into the industry

  • Demonstrate clear interest in pursuing a career writing for film or television

  • Reside in or near the Los Angeles area

  • Be able to attend and participate in all virtual and in-person meetings

One-on-one mentorship serves as a core component of the fellowship, so selection will be based largely on the pool of available mentors.

WHICH PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR ME?

The Veterans Writing Project and Veterans Fellowship each serve a unique purpose and audience.

VETERANS WRITING PROJECT

  • 8-9 months

  • 40-50 participants each cycle

  • Open to U.S. military veterans who are seeking a career as a professional screenwriter

  • Focused on craft and the process of writing a script

VETERANS FELLOWSHIP

  • 8 weeks

  • 5-6 participants each cycle

  • Open to Veterans Writing Project alumni who are on the threshold of breaking into the industry

  • Focused on the business of screenwriting and career building opportunities

For more information on the Veterans Writing Project, click here.

HOW TO APPLY

Submissions for the 2024 Veterans Fellowship are closed. The window to apply for the 2025 cohort will reopen in late 2024.

Applicants must be prepared to submit:

  • Format and genre preferences

  • Writing background and resume

  • Essay question responses

  • A 500-word personal statement

  • A minimum of two (2) complete script samples

Interested applicants will receive updates about the next admissions cycle via the Veterans Writing Project Alumni Newsletter. If you are a graduate of the VWP and would like to subscribe to this newsletter, please email your name and graduation year to vets@wgfoundation.org.

VOLUNTEERING

If you are a WGA member or industry professional who is interested in supporting this program, please contact Kira at kvandenbrande@wgfoundation.org.